Buffalo Area Poetry & Literature Calendar (week of Oct. 15-Oct. 21)
Tuesday, 7 p.m.: The Canisius Contemporary Writers Series presents writer, poet and scholar Clint Smith, author of the New York Times best-seller “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America” (Little , Brown), winner of the 2022 Stowe Prize, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction in 2021. Smith is also the author of two poetry collections, "Counting Descent" (Write Bloody Publishing, 2016) and "Above Ground" (Hachette) which was published in March 2023. Smith is currently a staff writer at The Atlantic. Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College. 2001 Main St., Buffalo. Free and open to the public.
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.: The Screening Room Series reading hosted by poet Sandy Geary. Featured reader is Celeste Lawson. Additional reading slots available. The Screening Room Cinema Café, 880 Alberta Drive, Amherst. $3.
Wednesday, 9 p.m.: Poetry Night at Caffe Aroma, biweekly open mic reading series hosted by Ben Brindise and Justin Karcher. 957 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Just Buffalo Literary Center presents a reading featuring poets Michael Dumanis and Sandra Simonds, with a musical performance by Brian DeJesus. Dumanis is the author of two books of poems, "Creature" (Four Way Books, 2023) and "My Soviet Union" (University of Massachusetts Press), winner of the Juniper Prize for Poetry. Born in the former Soviet Union, he immigrated to the United States at the age of five and lived in Buffalo for most of his childhood. He lives in North Bennington, Vermont, and teaches at Bennington College, where he also serves as editor of Bennington Review. Simonds is an award-winning writer and professor who has taught at Bennington College, Florida State University and Thomas University. She is the author of eight collections of poetry, most recently "Triptychs" (Wave Books, November 2022) which was a Best of 2022 New York Times Books selection. Her awards include the University of Akron Poetry Prize for "Further Problems with Pleasure" and the Cleveland State University Open Poetry Prize for "Mother Was a Tragic Girl." She has been a finalist for numerous awards including the National Poetry Series. Her first novel, "Assia" (Noemi Press, 2023), based on the life of Assia Wevill, a SPD bestseller, was shortlisted for the Dzanc Fiction Prize. Brian DeJesus is a musician based in Buffalo, NY who plays electric and upright bass. The reading will take place at Just Buffalo Literary Center, 468 Washington St., 2nd Floor, in Buffalo.
Saturday, 6 p.m.: Launch event for issue 43 of the Niagara County based journal Slipstream featuring readings from Jennifer Campbell, Livio Farallo, Carrie Gardner, Gunilla Kester, Michelle Kratts, Rich Olson, Robert Penick, Maria Sebastian, Max Stephan, Ed Taylor, Kate Willoughby, and Dan Sicoli. The Book Corner, 1801 Main St., Niagara Falls, NY.
Saturday, 7 p.m.: WORDISM: Jam Sessionz, a non-competitive open mic event for spoken word artists accompanied by jazz musicians. Visit www.BuffaloWordism.com for more details. $18.75 for advanced reserved seating; $20 at door pricing. Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St., Buffalo.